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Bucs Quarterbacks

No Deal: Josh Freeman

Of the 3 first rounders selected in the 1^st round of this spring's draft, Freeman had the most unremarkable college resume.  Freeman's 63% completon percentage was disguised by Kansas State's notoriously cupcake non-conference schedule as well as the Big 12's pass friendly defenses.  However, Raheem Morris' familiarity with Freeman from his stint as Kansas State's defensive coordinator, from their makes his decision appear to contain a wrinkle of bias.

Deal: Josh Johnson

Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, Derek Anderson... Looking for the next great quarterback to take the league by storm?  This 6'3 dual threat signal caller is a product of the FCS Division's San Diego Torero's.  Drafted in the 5^th round by ex-Bucs coach Jon Gruden, Josh Johnson capped off a storied career in which he threw for 9,312 yards, 108 touchdowns to 15 interceptions with a 42;1 touchdown-interception ratio in a 10 game senior campaign.

Did I mention his gazelle like speed and long stride?  Johnson rushed for 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns in 4 years and 3 as a starter.  So how did a legitimate passer with 4.4 speed slip through the cracks and end up at non-scholarship San Diego University?  He didn't.  As a 5'11 high school senior, Johnson went under it.

Some have speculated that Gruden drafted Johnson in the 5^th round with the intention of starting him in 2009 or 2010.  Morris promoted Johnson to #2 in what he calls a career backup role, but be prepared for Johnson to

49ers Quarterbacks

Deal: Nate Davis

Once upon a blue moon, Nate Davis was considered a hot commodity among NFL franchises.  However, Davis' stock plummeted from likely 2^nd round prospect to 2^nd day, 7^th round pick.  His stock fell as a result of his dyslexia-related learning disabilities which hindered his reading skills but not his mastery of a playbook.  Davis impressed in the pre-season to the extent he sparked a movement to become the opening day starter.

No Deal: Alex Smith

Once upon a time, the 49ers were vacillating between selecting Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith with the 1^st overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.  Last night, Alex Smith held Shaun Hill???s clipboard hours before Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a length of the field touchdown drive in the final 2 minutes of Sunday Night Football. 

Bay Receivers

Deal: Darrius Heyward-Bey

How great is life right now for Heyward-Bey?  He went from languishing with the Terrapins defunct aerial and diving for errant passes to lining up as the #1 target for the 1^st overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Heyward-Bey is a workout warrior with pedestrian collegiate numbers at Maryland however, much like the Broncos' Eddie Royal, Heyward-Bey was the victim of an inept aerial offense at Maryland.

No Deal: Michael Crabtree

How surreal is life for Crabtree after week 1?

Instead of hauling JaMarcus Russell's mortars on Monday Night Football, which is where he was projected to be performing before April's draft, he's publicly sparring with his own representation and catching heat from his ex-fan base.   Even if he does sign a napkin and report, he's staring at the prospect of Shaun Hill, a Maryland product heading the offense.  That's a leap backwards from catching 231 passes and 41 touchdowns in 2 seasons in Lubbock from Graham Harrell.

It's been the longest holdout for an NFL rookie, or any player in recent memory.    Crabtree's alternative solution is to sit out the season, and re-enter the NFL Draft.  That scenario makes about as much sense as hanging yourself in the hopes that you get reincarnated as a unicorn. 

Even Stephen Strasburg, the most highly touted #1 MLB Amateur pick in decades and his super agent Scott Boras compromised just hours before their deadline.  Does Crabtree realize that the he won't be able to account for the value he lost in 2009, next season?

Someone should inform Crabree that the 2010 NFL Draft will likely feature Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant and Arrellious Benn of Illinois vying to be the first receiver taken.  Both of whom should go ahead of Crabtree whose feats in fall 2008 will be ancient history by spring 2010.  

Deal: Gisele Bundchen

During the 12 months Tom Brady was healing his MCL and ACL he formulated a flawless plan which culminated in a shotgun wedding with a Victoria's Secret Model.

No Deal: Tila Tequila

While Shawne Merriman was busy not playing professional football last year, he was on the prowl for VH1 Reality TV semi-stars.  Merriman???s claim that he was simply trying to calm the bisexual drunken star of A Shot of Love (and it's equally critically panned sequel), Tequila revealed herself as a fraud as she alleged to have an allergy to alcohol!  As a result not onlyhas she lost her credibility with the family oriented folks at VH1, but in this job-less economy, I'm pretty sure strippers with alcohol allergies are an insurance liability for clubs.

Deal: Mark Sanchez

Sanchez showed accuracy, velocity on his throws and moxy on the field is his debut 60 minutes.  Sanchez found a reliable target in tight end, Dustin Keller whom he found for a team high 94 yards.

No Deal: Matt Stafford

I know it's the inaugural performance but how do you muster a 43% completion percentage (or a 57% incompletion percentage), 3 interceptions, 0 touchdowns and a 0.0 rating against the porous New Orleans Saints defense? 

 However, this isn't just about one miserable pre-season performance.  He displayed his propensity for mind numbing turnovers during the pre-season as well as throughout his 3 year college experiment where he gave the ball away like a church donation and was unimpressive in big moments.